FFXII Judge Gabranth costume build

For those that don't know this character here is some art based off of the DISSIDIA Gabranth:

There are a few cosmetic differences between the RPG and Dissidia, particularly color and some proportion tweaks. I myself prefer the Dissidia proportions so i decided to work off of those. However, I will be using the paint scheme from the original game.

I started by taking photos of myself and modeling a basic 3D model. (This was also done for my ODST but I thought I could do it better this time around)

I used calipers to take measurements and scaled my dummy model to match them in the 3D program I am using. I know that with the boots I bought I stand approximately 73.5 inches (without the helmet) so once that was set then it was only a matter of modeling and scaling the armor parts to look good on it.

After about 4 weeks of on/off modeling I finally got the basics down. Here is my initial low res armor:

not the strongest stance, but it beats t-pose :lol

All of the armor parts fit well over my body type except for the helmet of course :sleep The back of the helmet has a sharp taper that would not fit around my head. It was an easy fix though, I just brought the helmet into ZBrush, imported my head as a sub-tool, and did some shifting to the back of the mesh until it fit around my head.

So how am I planning on doing the raised designs and decorative trimming on the armor? The only solution I have come up with so far is to paint the designs on the model with ZBrush and export that texture to use on a pepakura model. The pepakura model will only be a template to trace the designs on the foam and sintra parts that I will use for the armor. Then I'll just use apoxie sculpt within the pattern.

Some parts will be 3D printed, but mostly the little things since I have time to build and I'm trying to furnish a house I went ahead and divided up the helmet though:

Wireframe!

That's about it for now. The next couple of weeks will probably consist of minor tweaks here and there as well as break downs of certain parts pertaining to the materials they will be made from.

My god, this will be awesome. Question, if you are doing the 3D Model for it, are you going to share any unfolds, or will you need anyone to unfold any of the parts. If so I'm up for the challenge if it's not very high poly unlike the helmet wireframe you have. But with parts of this being 3D printed, it should turn out great with you doing it, it's going to cost a arm and a leg but it should turn out great.

Had some time to build last night and tonight so I got the base of the boots made. I still need to add trim around the larger part and on the toe section before I start sealing the foam.

The base of the boots are cheap slip on dress shoes I had. I considered going with a more traditional boot but since the shin guards will sit so low around my ankles I didn't want to hassle with trimming.

DAMNNN thats badass, u made all in 3d first, why are u making in foam then ?

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Thanks

I always pre-build my work in 3D. As I'm modeling the parts it helps me think about how I am going to build them and how they are going to be worn. I guess I prefer modeling my own work that's why I don't really like using 3D files that others have made.

Sometimes I model for pepakura, but for this project I wanted to try some of the lighter materials that people have been using as opposed to the drawn out fiberglassing/bondo steps. So the 3D side of things remained relatively simple.

In the photos you can see some of the parts are white. Those parts are made from 3mm sintra board that a local sign shop got for me. I am really impressed with the sintra board and how easy it is to shape a sturdy part.

I cut all of the parts out with a scroll saw and heat each part just enough to bend it into shape. I found out that if I heat up the sintra too much to where it's floppy it tends to lose it's original shape

I wasn't the biggest fan of the story in FF XII but I thought the Judges were the best part of it, all of their suits were really amazing, and your base model is a great representation. The boots look pretty awesome so far, this is going to rock when its done.

The seams will be cleaned up with spot putty once I'm done with the other shin and reinforce the whole piece. I apologize for the duct tape but I wanted to preview everything together

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Spot putty like the tubes of 3M Glazing & Spot Putty or more like filler? What are you planning to use to reinforce them? I ask because the little tube of red stuff seems very brittle. Am I being to literal or just misunderstanding?

Spot putty like the tubes of 3M Glazing & Spot Putty or more like filler? What are you planning to use to reinforce them? I ask because the little tube of red stuff seems very brittle. Am I being to literal or just misunderstanding?

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Yeah, I´d say that spot putty is much too brittle when dry and will likely crack at the seams. I´d say that using "acrylic", the kind that you use to seal drywalling joints between wall and ceiling. Flexible and paintable. It might also be possible to use hot glue, there is a flexible kind out there that might be helpful.

I think that using a heat gun might help to create curved pieces, too, eliminating the need to build a curved piece out of single pieces.

You might want to send our member izabel a pm, the queen and king of foam armour building.

I think that using a heat gun might help to create curved pieces, too, eliminating the need to build a curved piece out of single pieces.

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He did use a heat gun, you can see it in the glossy foam surface. The problem is that there are curves in three directions there. You cannot take a single piece of foam and curve it into that shape without multiple pieces or cutting and rejoining. It is physically impossible.

looking good.. like really really good. any plans to remove or fill in those cuts across the shins from side to side? since that isnt part of the pattern of the armor?

edit, nevermind i apparently cannot read.. duuuh, sorry

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Thanks Kommissar, that means a lot coming from an artist of your caliber. I am a big fan of the work you do! And yes, I do plan on dumbing down the horizontal seams, but I don't think that I will smooth them out completely. My girlfriend said she thought it made it look more "realistic" and I kind of agree. Since everything below the knee is matt-black I thought any details that could help it 'pop' more would be cool.

But then again, I'm not a pro and I never said that I knew what I was doing :lol

Spot putty like the tubes of 3M Glazing & Spot Putty or more like filler? What are you planning to use to reinforce them? I ask because the little tube of red stuff seems very brittle. Am I being to literal or just misunderstanding?

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I agree 100% I actually was able to fill and cover imperfections using the standard plasti-dip and cotton swabs. Go figure. The simplest solutions tend to be the best I guess.

Yeah, I´d say that spot putty is much too brittle when dry and will likely crack at the seams. I´d say that using "acrylic", the kind that you use to seal drywalling joints between wall and ceiling. Flexible and paintable. It might also be possible to use hot glue, there is a flexible kind out there that might be helpful.

I think that using a heat gun might help to create curved pieces, too, eliminating the need to build a curved piece out of single pieces.

You might want to send our member izabel a pm, the queen and king of foam armour building.

Michael

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Thanks for the tip Michael

Like German pointed out, I do use a heat gun for most of the shaping. Especially for the smaller parts where the seams are easy to hide.

cant wait to see more will you make these peps available at some point?

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Thanks, I do plan on putting together a "comprehensive" zip containing all patterns, files, models, and reference I use for this project once it's finished.

That said, any and all of my digital work can be purchased with full access to do whatever you want with it. I don't have set prices nor am I looking to turn a profit, but I do feel like the work and time I put in deserves something more than the Skyrim Gift of Charity. You are willing to offer what you can for what you think the data is worth to you. The bottom line is that I am no longer just giving away work that I do.

And thank you again to everyone that commented and showed interest. I am hoping to finish up the arm plates and get the base chest armor next.

That is one of the best foam builds I have seen on here. Love or hate foam, it is perfect for builds like this and it seems to have a "weight" to it that suits this type of armor. Rock On! This is one to follow!

Sorry to drag up and old post but while going through my subscriptions I noticed this was one of the ealry ones I was watching, so did it ever get finished? Was good progress so far And love the Final Fantasy Series